Cold-Process Soap vs Commercial Soap: What's Really in Your Bar?

Published November 2025 | 9 min read

Not all bar soap is created equal. If you've ever wondered why handmade cold-process soap costs more than the grocery store stuff—or why your skin feels different after using it—this guide is for you. We're breaking down exactly what's in cold-process soap versus commercial soap, and why it matters for your skin.

The Quick Answer

Cold-process soap is real soap. Commercial "soap" bars? Most aren't actually soap at all—they're synthetic detergents with added chemicals.

Here's the fundamental difference:

• Cold-process soap: Made from natural oils + lye, cured 4-6 weeks, retains glycerin (a natural moisturizer)
• Commercial "soap": Made from synthetic detergents, harsh sulfates, artificial ingredients—glycerin removed and sold separately

Let's dive deeper.

What is Cold-Process Soap?

Cold-process soap is soap made the traditional way—the way it's been made for thousands of years.

The Cold-Process Method

Here's how real soap is made:

1. Mix natural oils (tallow, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.) with lye (sodium hydroxide)
2. Saponification occurs: A chemical reaction transforms oils + lye into soap + glycerin
3. Pour into molds and let sit for 24-48 hours
4. Cut and cure for 4-6 weeks (this allows excess water to evaporate and pH to balance)
5. Result: A hard, long-lasting bar that's gentle on skin

Why "Cold-Process"?

The term "cold-process" means no external heat is applied (though the saponification reaction itself generates heat). This preserves the natural properties of the oils and creates a superior bar.

What's Left in Cold-Process Soap

After saponification, cold-process soap contains:

• Soap molecules (from the oil + lye reaction)
• Glycerin (a natural humectant that draws moisture to skin)
• Excess oils (many soap makers "superfat" by adding extra oil for moisturization)
• Natural vitamins from the oils (A, D, E, K in tallow; A and E in olive oil)
• Fragrance or essential oils (optional)

What's NOT in cold-process soap: Synthetic detergents, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, artificial dyes, preservatives.

What is Commercial Soap?

Here's the truth most big brands don't want you to know: most "soap" bars you buy at the store aren't legally soap.

They're "Beauty Bars" or "Cleansing Bars"

Look at the label of Dove, Olay, or most drugstore bars. You won't see the word "soap"—you'll see:

• "Beauty bar"
• "Cleansing bar"
• "Body bar"
• "Moisturizing bar"

Why? Because they're made from synthetic detergents (syndets), not natural soap.

How Commercial Bars Are Made

1. Start with cheap oils (often palm oil or petroleum-based ingredients)
2. Add synthetic detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
3. Remove glycerin (it's valuable—companies sell it to lotion manufacturers)
4. Add back chemicals: hardeners, lathering agents, preservatives, artificial fragrances, dyes
5. Press into molds and ship immediately (no curing needed)
6. Result: A cheap, mass-produced bar that strips your skin

What's in Commercial "Soap"

Check the ingredient list on a typical commercial bar:

• Sodium lauroyl isethionate (synthetic detergent)
• Stearic acid (hardener)
• Sodium tallowate or sodium cocoate (soap, but stripped of glycerin)
• Sodium isethionate (another synthetic detergent)
• Sodium stearate (emulsifier)
• Cocamidopropyl betaine (lathering agent)
• Sodium chloride (table salt, used as filler/hardener)
• Tetrasodium EDTA (chelating agent)
• Fragrance (synthetic, often contains phthalates)
• Titanium dioxide (whitening agent)
• BHT (preservative, potential endocrine disruptor)

Notice what's missing? Glycerin. Natural vitamins. Nourishing oils.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Why Cold-Process Soap Costs More (And Why It's Worth It)

Yes, cold-process soap costs more upfront. Here's why:

1. Time-Intensive Process

Commercial bars are made and shipped the same day. Cold-process soap takes 4-6 weeks to cure—that's inventory sitting in a curing room for over a month before it can be sold.

2. Quality Ingredients

Cold-process soap makers use premium oils:

• Grass-fed tallow: $8-$12/lb (vs. $2/lb for commercial tallow)
• Extra virgin olive oil: $15-$20/gallon
• Virgin coconut oil: $20-$30/gallon
• IFRA-compliant fragrance oils: $30-$60/lb (phthalate-free, tested for safety)

Commercial bars use the cheapest possible inputs—petroleum derivatives, low-grade palm oil, synthetic fragrances.

3. Small-Batch Handcrafting

Cold-process soap is made in small batches, often by hand. Commercial soap is made in industrial facilities that produce millions of bars per day.

4. But Here's the Catch: It Actually Costs Less

Cost per use comparison:

• Commercial bar (Dove): $1.50 for 3.75oz = $0.40/oz, lasts ~2 weeks = $0.75/week
• Cold-process bar (Traditional HQ): $10.50 for 5.5oz = $1.91/oz, lasts ~6-8 weeks = $0.44/week

Cold-process soap actually costs less per week because it lasts so much longer.

Why Your Skin Feels Different

The "Tight" Feeling from Commercial Soap

Ever notice your skin feels tight, dry, or squeaky-clean after using commercial soap? That's not "clean"—that's stripped.

Commercial bars remove your skin's natural oils (sebum), leaving it defenseless and dehydrated. Your skin then overproduces oil to compensate, creating a cycle of dryness and oiliness.

The "Soft" Feeling from Cold-Process Soap

Cold-process soap cleans effectively without stripping. The natural glycerin and superfatted oils moisturize as you wash.

Result? Clean skin that feels soft, balanced, and hydrated—not tight or dry.

The Environmental Impact

Cold-Process Soap Wins

• ✓ Biodegradable: Breaks down naturally in water systems
• ✓ Minimal processing: No industrial chemicals, no petrochemicals
• ✓ Sustainable packaging: Compostable kraft paper, no plastic
• ✓ Zero waste: Every ingredient is used (glycerin isn't removed)

Commercial Soap Loses

• ❌ Synthetic chemicals: Pollute water systems, harm aquatic life
• ❌ Industrial production: High carbon footprint, petroleum-based ingredients
• ❌ Plastic packaging: Most commercial bars come in plastic or non-recyclable wrappers
• ❌ Waste: Glycerin removed, creating additional processing waste

How to Spot Real Cold-Process Soap

When shopping for soap, look for these signs of true cold-process craftsmanship:

✅ Good Signs

• Ingredient list starts with oils (coconut oil, olive oil, tallow, etc.)
• Contains "sodium hydroxide" or "lye" (required for saponification)
• Short ingredient list (5-10 ingredients)
• Mentions "cold-process" or "handmade"
• Irregular shape (handmade soaps aren't perfectly uniform)
• Says "cured for 4-6 weeks"
• No claims like "dermatologist tested" or "clinically proven" (marketing speak)

❌ Red Flags

• Says "beauty bar," "cleansing bar," or avoids the word "soap"
• Ingredient list starts with "sodium lauroyl isethionate" or other syndets
• Contains SLS, SLES, or parabens
• Long chemical ingredient list (15+ unrecognizable ingredients)
• Perfectly uniform shape (machine-pressed)
• Suspiciously cheap ($1-$3 for a bar)

Real Customer Feedback: Making the Switch

"I used Dove for 20 years. Switched to Traditional HQ cold-process soap and my dry skin issues disappeared within a week."
— Sarah, Edmonton

"I didn't believe soap could make a difference until I tried real cold-process. My skin doesn't feel tight anymore. I'm never going back."
— Mike, Vancouver

"The bar lasts SO much longer. I thought I was wasting money on expensive soap, but it's actually cheaper per use than Dove."
— James, Toronto

Traditional HQ's Cold-Process Advantage

At Traditional HQ, every bar is made using the traditional cold-process method:

• ✓ Two distinct formulas: Tallow-based (NO.12, NO.44, TNT) and Traditional plant-based (NO.338, NO.308, NO.30, etc.)
• ✓ Premium ingredients: Canadian grass-fed tallow, virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil
• ✓ Natural glycerin retained in every bar
• ✓ Cured 4-6 weeks for optimal hardness and pH balance
• ✓ No synthetic detergents, sulfates, parabens, or phthalates
• ✓ Handcrafted in small batches in Fergus, Ontario
• ✓ Compostable packaging—laser-engraved kraft paper boxes

The Bottom Line

Cold-process soap is real soap. Commercial "soap" is a synthetic detergent bar engineered for mass production and profit—not your skin.

If you care about:

• ✓ What you put on your body
• ✓ Long-term skin health
• ✓ Environmental impact
• ✓ Supporting small businesses over mega-corporations

Choose cold-process soap.

Your skin—and the planet—will thank you.

Ready to try real soap? Explore our cold-process bar soap collection—handcrafted in Fergus, Ontario, with free shipping across Canada.

Have questions about cold-process soap? Contact us—we're happy to help!

Related Reading:
→ Tallow vs Traditional Soap: Which Formula is Right for You?
→ Our Ingredients: Quality You Can Trust
→ Why Traditional HQ Soap Lasts Longer Than Competitors